Igor Kipnis Plays Scarlatti
Robin Friedman | Washington, D.C. United States | 04/26/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Lovers of the keyboard sonatas of Domenico Scarlatti (1685 -- 1757) often differ in their preference for the harpsichord or the piano. This CD is essential for those listeners who love the harpsichord, but I suspect advocates of the piano will enjoy it as well. The great harpsichordist Igor Kipnis (1930 - 2002) plays not one but five harpsichords in this recital. This recording of "The Virtuoso Scarlatti" dates from 1992 and was one of the last and best of Kipnis's career. It includes 15 sonatas, performed, as the album's title suggests, with flash and virtuosity.
Unlike the piano, which is largely standardized in its production, the harpsichord is a quirky and aristocratic instrument. The instrument was individually produced and differed markedly from country to country. With the revival of interest in early music, craftsmen began to model their harpsichords after historical instruments. And in this recording, Kipnis plays on reproductions French, Flemish, German, Italian, and English instruments. This makes for great variety in tonal quality and encourages careful listening to differentiate among the various instruments. The unusually detailed program notes to the CD offer information about each instrument together with photographs.
In addition to the wealth of harpsichords, the recording used an unusual miking technique. Frequently, harpsichords sound tinny or bangy or recordings. But in this case, by placing the microphone somewhat further from the instrument than ordinarily done and making some other adjustments, the beautiful qualities of the different instruments come through. The recording should be played at a low volume.
The fifteen short sonatas on this CD tend to be among the better-known of Scarlatti's over 550 works in this form. The works have a strongly Spanish flavor with strummed, guitar-like chords and repeated notes. The works are full of flamboyant runs, eccentric harmonies, strong rhythms, and famously difficult passages of hand-crossing. Scholars still debate how these works should be arranged. On this CD they are generally arranged in groups of two based upon their key. Generally, the two works in a set are played on the same instrument. But Kipnis plays the sonata in E major, K. 46 on the French harpsichord and its companion sonata, in G minor, K. 30, the famous "Cat's Fugue" on the Italian instrument.
The recording is weighted towards the earlier sonatas. Scarlatti's early works tend to emphasize flamboyant technique more than the latter, more reflective, sonatas. Thus the CD begins with the early K.24, a lively swirling piece. It includes two additional sonatas from the first 100, six sonatas from K. 100 -- K. 200, two sonatas in the 200s, two sonatas in the 300's and two sonatas in the 400s. With only a few exceptions, including the lovely sonata in G minor, K. 426, the sonatas are taken at quick tempos.
This music is joyful, rhythmical, aristocratic, and irresitable. Highlights include the very quick and flashy sonata in G, K. 427, which Scarlatti directs is to be played "as fast as possible", the Cat's Fugue, K. 30, the complimentary pair of A major sonatas, K. 208 and 209, the march-like K. 380, in the virtuosic hand-crossing trilogy of K. 118, 119, and 120.
With its outstanding sound, use of five different instruments, and beautiful performances by Kipnis, this CD remains an ideal introduction to the works of Domenico Scarlatti on the harpsichord.
Robin Friedman"
Thank you Mr. Kipnis
Robert J. Cruce | Muskogee, OK United States | 02/08/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD has absolutely wonderful sound. Those who have listened to and enjoyed other Scarlatti recordings can move up to a new level of artistic interpretation as well. This is a superbly chosen program of Scarlatti and will not fail to please."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1
